The father of Christchurch woman Lisa Hiddleston says a manslaughter verdict handed down to her killer is “right and proper”.

Scott John Blackmore, 30, was last night acquitted of murdering his former partner Hiddleston by a jury in the High Court in Christchurch, and instead found guilty of manslaughter. He will be sentenced on December 17.

Blackmore had been the primary caregiver to the children and Hiddleston the breadwinner. He “lost it” when Hiddleston refused to deal with him over the custody of the children, Blackmore’s lawyer, Jonathan Eaton said.

Hiddleston saw what Blackmore was dealing with and tried to help him:

“When (Lisa) had gone, I was helping Scott with what he had been through. I could see he was being ripped to pieces. He was a brilliant father. He was trying his best for the two girls. He eventually just snapped. That’s how the jury saw it too.”

Hiddleston felt no-one had the right to take a life, but he would make his peace with Blackmore.

“At the end of the day he is still the children’s father. He will never get the children again. His punishment will be the loss of the children,” Hiddleston said.